butane soldering help

[Former_Member]

hello--

I know that larger silver peices can be more difficult to solder with a small butane torch, but im having some issues getting my solder to flow and was wondering if anyone had any tips.

i made a thin bangle and attached two sheet metal hearts with no problem. im trying to solder a bezel cup to the two hearts and am even using soft solder and it just wont flow. im soldering directly onto a charcoal block and even put another block on top of the bottom block to increase the heat, so im soldering into a corner but still no luck.

any suggestions? thanks all.

cathy

[Former_Member]

Is the bezel cup sterling silver? Are you tring to solder silver to silver?

I'm trying to visualize the direction of all the pieces. You may need to sweat solder to the heart, then place the bezel on top and finish soldering from the bottom using a tripod.

[bddesigns]

I think you've got too many "layers" of metal for a small butane torch. I can't really completely visualize your situation, but that would be the first thing I would say.

I use an acetylene torch with a b-tank and recently I moved from a #3 tip to a #4 tip and sometimes even use my #5 tip because I just need more heat!!!!! And my #3 would be WAY bigger than your butane torch!!!

Get more heat!!! :)

[Former_Member]

As a follow-up to bddesigns...I'm wondering where you are located? Sometimes altitude can really mess with your soldering...

I'm on the Gulf Coast and can easily solder medium sized pieces and several layers with a butane torch if I need to. Of course, not all butane torches are created equal.

[Former_Member]

a nice move up from butane creme bruleee type torch is a propane or mapp gas plumbers torch from home depot type store..

[hennesseyjewelry]

If you're using wire solder, try flattening it. If you're using sheet solder, or if the flattening doesn't work, try pre-melting a tiny bit of solder on to the spot where the bezel cup will go.

[Joyfulcrow]

Yuppers, it sounds like lack of heat is the issue.
Silver draws heat faster than just about any material.

[Former_Member]

thanks for all the advise! i was able to increase the flame size as much as i could with my torch and heat underneath a bit more and it worked! yay! i will definately look into that plumbers torch - thank you all very much!

[BobsWhiskers]

Have you tried re-pickling the pieces before soldering to make sure they're really clean?